"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."— Maya Angelou
I was condescended to today. It took me a while to figure out what was going on. It was one of those moments when at first I didn't know what was going on and then I thought I was being mean with my reaction, and then I realized that I needed to respond to the condescension. It was one of those times when you think the person is being nice and then you realize that the person is just being nice for themselves.
It reminded me of this quote:
"If you've come here to help me, please leave. If you've come here because your liberation is tied to my own, then let's work together."
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Stuff White People Like
Stuff White People Like
OMG, this is the funniest blog I've read in a long time. I personally am 26 and white, I know because I've been going through some medical stuff and I put White under race on the clipboard.
This list is frighteningly accurate, especially here in Pasadena. My favorites are
#3, #6, #8, #27, #28, #44, #48...wait, you know what?
I love them ALL!!
READ it and LAUGH!
It's good for your indoor-living, processed-food eating, generally inferior soul.
OMG, this is the funniest blog I've read in a long time. I personally am 26 and white, I know because I've been going through some medical stuff and I put White under race on the clipboard.
This list is frighteningly accurate, especially here in Pasadena. My favorites are
#3, #6, #8, #27, #28, #44, #48...wait, you know what?
I love them ALL!!
READ it and LAUGH!
It's good for your indoor-living, processed-food eating, generally inferior soul.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Why do you buy?
About a year ago, I discovered American Apparel.
I really like their clothes, the material really is comfortable and I like the simple designs. But here's the rub, all of their advertising is overtly sexual. The main print advertising is shot with models in reclining positions, in various states of undress. (Seems counter-productive to advertise a clothing line using models without clothes on, no?) Even the snapshots of hoodies on their website are of models wearing the hoodie and underwear bottoms, without actual pants on.
I used to say, I don't care what dumb advertising companies use, I like the products I like for their quality and I buy them based on that quality. But what do I do when the company uses such clearly immoral means of selling their wares? They are preying on our society's rabid addiction to sexuality and using that to sell T-shirts. In addition, the culturally relevant church is not addressing the issue, but supporting it. The Experiment jackets are from American Apparel and were purchased by my church for our team. I don't know what to think.
I really like their clothes, the material really is comfortable and I like the simple designs. But here's the rub, all of their advertising is overtly sexual. The main print advertising is shot with models in reclining positions, in various states of undress. (Seems counter-productive to advertise a clothing line using models without clothes on, no?) Even the snapshots of hoodies on their website are of models wearing the hoodie and underwear bottoms, without actual pants on.
I used to say, I don't care what dumb advertising companies use, I like the products I like for their quality and I buy them based on that quality. But what do I do when the company uses such clearly immoral means of selling their wares? They are preying on our society's rabid addiction to sexuality and using that to sell T-shirts. In addition, the culturally relevant church is not addressing the issue, but supporting it. The Experiment jackets are from American Apparel and were purchased by my church for our team. I don't know what to think.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The pen is mightier than the sword
In this post, I was reacting to quite a lot of hurt and frustration with the Experiment. It got me in trouble. There was some concern about who might look bad because of it. And that made me wonder if I would look bad. And for a while I thought, Gosh, I don't want to look bad in church. I don't want to hurt any people in church. Because I LOVE my church. Rockharbor has shepherded me, pastored me, cared for me. Most of the spiritual growth I've done was during services, crying at the crosses, asking Jesus to forgive me and those who've sinned against me. Asking Jesus for his nourishment, to feed me with the Eucharist, with his body and blood. To allow me to be in Holy Communion with his saints and convince me that he'll always feed me, even when I can't feed myself. Most of my healing from past spiritual abuse occurred in the context of co-leading a life group. Working out community with people in love and commitment to our mutual development, despite our total depravity, despite falling victim over and over to the same sins.
BUT--- But --- but....I guess I should've known not to expect too much when I look back now and realize we all applied to be celebrities. We all applied to be photographed like Britney Spears and I mean seriously, look at the devastation that has ensued for her. We are fragile human beings and must treat one another as such. We must treat each other with relentless tenderness despite the thorny responses we get. Any group that gets together and wants to serve the Lord by showing others "how it's done" is a big piece of crappy fly-ridden lies and only setting itself up for implosion. Although we were within the context of the church, we had no idea what we were doing or where we were going. And I sold little pieces of my soul along the way. I'm not mad, it's no one's fault but my own, but I'm saddened and disturbed at the parts of my soul that I now find missing when I'm searching for Jesus.
The most profound thing I learned in the Experiment is that God could not F-ing care whether or not we have a big darn vision. To quote Garrett, "God isn't interested in turning the oceanliner around. He is trying to sink the oceanliner and send us all out in rowboats."
He wants us to do small things with great love. He doesn't need you to start crusades under Billy Bob Ministries and drive a Rolls Royce. Also he doesn't hate the rich. If you're rich, that's what you are, just like I'm brown-eyed and can't do nothing about it. So enjoy it, give lots away, lavish it on those who've never had that, die completely broke and honor the Lord. Take care of your family
(um, and by care I don't mean help them learn to luxuriate in fine things). Teach your children the commandments. Read the Bible for what it really says. And stop trying to outdo God with your big vision. For what does the Lord require of you but to love justice and do mercy and walk humbly with your God.
The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community even if their intentions are ever so earnest. But the person who loves those around them will create community. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
It's not easy to grasp a vision for the world that is a kingdom or an empire bigger than Rome, but as small as a mustard seed. This is the God who creates the universe, but chooses to be born in a manger. - Shane Claiborne
BUT--- But --- but....I guess I should've known not to expect too much when I look back now and realize we all applied to be celebrities. We all applied to be photographed like Britney Spears and I mean seriously, look at the devastation that has ensued for her. We are fragile human beings and must treat one another as such. We must treat each other with relentless tenderness despite the thorny responses we get. Any group that gets together and wants to serve the Lord by showing others "how it's done" is a big piece of crappy fly-ridden lies and only setting itself up for implosion. Although we were within the context of the church, we had no idea what we were doing or where we were going. And I sold little pieces of my soul along the way. I'm not mad, it's no one's fault but my own, but I'm saddened and disturbed at the parts of my soul that I now find missing when I'm searching for Jesus.
The most profound thing I learned in the Experiment is that God could not F-ing care whether or not we have a big darn vision. To quote Garrett, "God isn't interested in turning the oceanliner around. He is trying to sink the oceanliner and send us all out in rowboats."
He wants us to do small things with great love. He doesn't need you to start crusades under Billy Bob Ministries and drive a Rolls Royce. Also he doesn't hate the rich. If you're rich, that's what you are, just like I'm brown-eyed and can't do nothing about it. So enjoy it, give lots away, lavish it on those who've never had that, die completely broke and honor the Lord. Take care of your family
(um, and by care I don't mean help them learn to luxuriate in fine things). Teach your children the commandments. Read the Bible for what it really says. And stop trying to outdo God with your big vision. For what does the Lord require of you but to love justice and do mercy and walk humbly with your God.
The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community even if their intentions are ever so earnest. But the person who loves those around them will create community. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
It's not easy to grasp a vision for the world that is a kingdom or an empire bigger than Rome, but as small as a mustard seed. This is the God who creates the universe, but chooses to be born in a manger. - Shane Claiborne
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Complexity
I had this thought in class today:
Of course it's hard to understand humans. We're made in the image of God, and who's more complex than God?
Of course it's hard to understand humans. We're made in the image of God, and who's more complex than God?
Monday, February 11, 2008
5 things you should know
1. If you're going to be counseling anyone, anywhere it is imperative that you attend at least 10 counseling sessions yourself.
2. Never, and I mean NEVER try to drive and Blackberry at the same time. It is very dangerous.
3. Unicorns are never extinct in your imagination.
4. Coffee is good for the brain and the soul.
5. Que-sa-dilla is NOT Spanish for "What's the deal?!"
Now it's your turn...tell me 5 things I should know...:)
2. Never, and I mean NEVER try to drive and Blackberry at the same time. It is very dangerous.
3. Unicorns are never extinct in your imagination.
4. Coffee is good for the brain and the soul.
5. Que-sa-dilla is NOT Spanish for "What's the deal?!"
Now it's your turn...tell me 5 things I should know...:)
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